"Uncle George lets me ride on his shoulders and takes me to do so many fun things!" the little boy exclaimed, his tiny fingers ticking off each memory as he listed them one by one.
Most were simple adventures, ones that usually happened between fathers and sons.
As Lauren listened, a faint shadow passed over her eyes. No matter how hard she tried to be both a mother and a father, she could never truly fill that void.
She had seen the way Liam's gaze would linger on other children playing with their dads, his expression filled with quiet envy he didn't know how to hide.
But Jonathan Quintero would never be a good father. To him, Liam wasn't a son... just an unwanted burden.
Noticing the sadness in Lauren's eyes, Rachel quickly changed the subject.
As they were leaving, she glanced over and asked softly, "How's your injury?"
"It's nothing serious now. I barely feel any pain when I walk," Lauren replied with a gentle smile.
